The Effect of Short Message Service on Medication Adherence in Patients with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental disorder and medication non-adherence remains a significant challenge for the patients and psychiatrists. The present study aimed to assess the impact of short-message service (SMS) on medication adherence in schizophrenic patients as compared with the control group.

A total of 63 patients with schizophrenia were assigned to the intervention group (N= 32) and the control group (N= 31). The patients in the intervention group received a daily SMS that read, ‘‘Please remember to take your medication” at 8:00am and 8:00pm. Medication adherence was assessed by the self-report Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) at baseline and in the 3rd month, and the 6th month.

Patients receiving SMS had a significantly greater improvement in medication adherence compared with the control group in the 3rd month, but there was no significant difference in the 6th month.

The results of the present study showed that text message reminder for medication intake is an effective and feasible strategy for enhancing medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia.